Correcting Ear Training Mistakes During Practice

Correcting Ear Training Mistakes During Practice

Q: Just wanted to clarify ways to go about correcting mistakes while listening to the Ear Training One Note Complete CD, using the following example – the CD plays a D note, but I guess E.

1) I can focus on playing the correct answer (D) on my guitar while imagining the cadence in my head, and forget about my guessing E.

2) I can play a D note, and then an E note, to compare the difference between the two, while imagining the cadence in my head.

3) I can play the home key note (C in this case) along with the right and wrong answer (play C-D, the C-E, and listen for the comparison).

Is it okay to do all 3 of these things, and if so which option would be best? Is option 2 or 3 falling back to interval training?

A: The best thing to do is play the entire cadence again, hear the note and play the correct note. Imagining the key center in your mind is fine too but are you truly imagining the key center in your mind. As a beginner with this technique this is questionable. So of your possibilities number 3 would be the best or as I said just repeat the track from the CD. Fanatic’s Guide to Ear Training and Sight Singing CD would be a good way to listen and compare notes because it sustains the tonic chord for up to 5 minutes.

It is also recommended that you read Bruce Arnold’s Blog at his artist site. It contains more discussion of the musical topics found in these FAQs as well as other subjects of interest. You will also find the “Music Education Genealogy Chart” located here which shows you the historic significance of the music education products found on the Muse Eek Publishing Company Website.